ifc-qto-extraction
Extract quantities from IFC/Revit models for quantity takeoff. Uses DDC converters to get element counts, areas, volumes, lengths with grouping and reporting.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/datadrivenconstruction/DDC_Skills_for_AI_Agents_in_Construction /tmp/ifc-qto-extraction && cp -r /tmp/ifc-qto-extraction/1_DDC_Toolkit/BIM-Analysis/ifc-qto-extraction ~/.claude/skills/ifc-qto-extractionSKILL.md
# IFC Quantity Takeoff Extraction
Extract structured quantity data from BIM models (IFC, Revit) for cost estimation, material ordering, and progress tracking.
## Business Case
**Problem**: Manual quantity takeoff is:
- Time-consuming (40-80 hours for medium project)
- Error-prone (human counting mistakes)
- Not repeatable (changes require full rework)
- Disconnected from design (no live updates)
**Solution**: Automated QTO from BIM that:
- Extracts all quantities in minutes
- Groups by type, level, zone
- Updates instantly with model changes
- Exports to Excel for pricing
**ROI**: 90% reduction in QTO time, near-zero counting errors
## DDC Tools Used
```
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ QTO EXTRACTION PIPELINE │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ INPUT CONVERT ANALYZE │
│ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ │
│ │ .rvt │ │ DDC │ │ Python │ │
│ │ .ifc │─────────►│Converter│───────────►│ pandas │ │
│ │ .dwg │ │ │ │ │ │
│ └─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘ │
│ │ │ │
│ ▼ ▼ │
│ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ │
│ │ .xlsx │ │ Grouped │ │
│ │ raw data│ │ QTO │ │
│ └─────────┘ └─────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ OUTPUT ▼ │
│ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ QTO Report │ │
│ │ • Element counts by type │ │
│ │ • Areas (m², ft²) │ │
│ │ • Volumes (m³, ft³) │ │
│ │ • Lengths (m, ft) │ │
│ │ • Weights (kg, tons) │ │
│ │ • Grouped by level/zone/system │ │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
## CLI Commands
### Revit to Excel (with BBox for volumes)
```bash
# Basic extraction
RvtExporter.exe "C:\Models\Building.rvt"
# Full extraction with bounding boxes (for volume calculations)
RvtExporter.exe "C:\Models\Building.rvt" complete bbox
# Include schedules (Revit's built-in QTO)
RvtExporter.exe "C:\Models\Building.rvt" complete bbox schedule
```
### IFC to Excel
```bash
# Extract IFC data
IfcExporter.exe "C:\Models\Building.ifc"
# Output: Building.xlsx with all IFC entities
```
### DWG to Excel (2D areas)
```bash
# Extract DWG blocks and areas
DwgExporter.exe "C:\Drawings\FloorPlan.dwg"
```
## Python Implementation
```python
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np
from pathlib import Path
import subprocess
from typing import List, Dict, Optional
from dataclasses import dataclass
@dataclass
class QuantityItem:
"""Single quantity line item"""
category: str
type_name: str
count: int
area: float = 0.0
volume: float = 0.0
length: float = 0.0
weight: float = 0.0
unit_area: str = "m²"
unit_volume: str = "m³"
unit_length: str = "m"
level: str = ""
zone: str = ""
class BIMQuantityExtractor:
"""Extract quantities from BIM models using DDC converters"""
def __init__(self, converter_path: str):
self.converter_path = Path(converter_path)
def convert_model(self, model_path: str, options: List[str] = None) -> Path:
"""Convert BIM model to Excel"""
model = Path(model_path)
options = options or ["complete", "bbox"]
# Determine converter
ext = model.suffix.lower()
converters = {
'.rvt': 'RvtExporter.exe',
'.rfa': 'RvtExporter.exe',
'.ifc': 'IfcExporter.exe',
'.dwg': 'DwgExporter.exe',
'.dgn': 'DgnExporter.exe'
}
converter = self.converter_path / converters.get(ext, 'RvtExporter.exe')
# Build command
cmd = [str(converter), str(model)] + options
# Execute
result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
if result.returncode != 0:
raise RuntimeError(f"Conversion failed: {result.stderr}")
# Return path to generated Excel
xlsx_path = model.with_suffix('.xlsx')
return xlsx_path
def load_bim_data(self, xlsx_path: str) -> pd.DataFrame:
"""Load converted BIM data from Excel"""
xlsx = Path(xlsx_path)
if not xlsx.exists():
raise FileNotFoundError(f"Excel file not found: {xlsx}")
# Read main data sheet
df = pd.read_excel(xlsx, sheet_name=0)
# Clean column names
df.columns = df.columns.str.strip()
return df
def extract_quantities(
self,
df: pd.DataFrame,
group_by: str = "Type Name",
include_categories: List[str] = None
) -> List[QuantityItem]:
"""Extract quantities grouped by type"""
# Filter categories if specified
if include_categories and 'Category' in df.columns:
df = df[df['Category'].isin(include_categories)]
# Group and aggregate
quantities = []
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